In a blistering critique amid Delhi’s persistent air pollution woes, AAP has accused the government of engineering fake AQI improvements. The party claims new monitoring stations are deliberately positioned in verdant, low-emission pockets to understate the severity of the crisis.
This isn’t random placement, AAP argues—it’s a scheme to deploy devices in spacious, tree-lined zones away from smog sources. Sites like JNU, Central Ridge, and Akshardham’s Yamuna edge exemplify this, where naturally cleaner air distorts overall city metrics.
Provocative statements from AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj cut deep. He accused authorities of prioritizing deception over detoxification, using manipulated data to fool residents. On X, he called out the CAQM’s inaction, attributing it to its cadre of central government-picked IAS bureaucrats. ‘A setup by IAS for IAS, sacrificing public wellness,’ he remarked sharply.
Bharadwaj referenced a prior backlash in April over identical station setups in unpolluted enclaves—jungles behind IGNOU, NSIT grounds—lacking industries, rush-hour traffic, or urban density. AAP protested then, and they’re doubling down now.
The demand is clear: Shift monitors to reality’s frontlines—smoke-belching industries, gridlocked highways, overcrowded slums. Accurate readings are vital for crafting anti-pollution strategies that actually work.
As Delhi grapples with seasonal toxicity, AAP’s allegations fuel calls for accountability. Transparent monitoring could bridge the gap between rhetoric and results, offering hope for breathable skies.